Pages

Friday, November 09, 2007

The Guardian of Nigeria Shut Over Workers Strike

The Guardian newspaper of Nigeria has been off the streets as the employees began an indefinite strike over their demands for 50% pay rise and the complete computerization of the newsroom.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have approved the strike.

The Leadership news media in Abuja, reported that a contingent of the Nigerian Police Force has been deployed to the premises of The Guardian in Lagos, to safeguard it.

The Guardian issued the following statement Thursday.

STATEMENT BY THE GUARDIAN

The Management of Guardian Newspapers Limited wishes to inform members of the public that our newspapers have been off the streets and online, following an industrial action called by our workers.

The two unions in our company - Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW) - withdrew their services on Tuesday, November 6, 2007. Their grouse was that our company would not commit to award a 50 per cent raise on their gross pay. Mindful of the prevailing economic situation in the country in general, and the media industry in particular, we offered a more realistic pay increase to the workers. We also held several meetings with the unions, with a view to reaching an agreement on the issue. But the unions rejected our offer outright and stuck to their demand.

We thank our readers and advertisers both in print and online, and the general public for their understanding, and ask that they bear with us over the prevailing situation.